Embedded Controllers for

PXI and CompactPCI

PXI-8150B Series
PXI-8150B Series
333 MHz AMD-K6-2 processor or Complies with PXI and CompactPCI
233 MHz Intel Pentium MMX specifications
processor Internal connections for PXI-1020 and
High-performance single-chip PXI-1025 chassis
PCI interface chip set
Full 132 Mbytes/s PCI bandwidth
High-performance peripherals
Ethernet
GPIB (IEEE 488.2)
Ultra DMA IDE hard drive
1.44 MB floppy drive
IEEE 1284 ECP/EPP parallel port
2 serial ports, maximum
PCI Super VGA
USB port
256 MB SDRAM, with upgrades
512 KB PBSRAM L2 cache
Watchdog timer

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Overview PXI-compliant chassis and expands to the left, thus preserving all
The National Instruments PXI-8150B Series embedded controllers active PXI slots for instrument modules.
are high-performance system controllers compatible with the PXI
and CompactPCI Specifications. The industrial packaging of PXI is Configuration
ideal for harsh environments. In addition, the high level of The PXI-8150B Series consists of two models – the PXI-8155B and
expandability makes it desirable for a wide range of applications. the PXI-8156B. Both models have your choice of Windows

Embedded and Remote Controllers

The PXI-8150B Series of embedded controllers integrates all operating systems and your choice of two CPUs – 333 MHz
the standard I/O features in a single unit by using state-of-the-art AMD-K6-2 or Pentium 233 MHz MMX. The models differ in front
packaging. Combining a PXI-8150B Series embedded controller panel peripheral I/O options, as described in Table 1. The
with a PXI-compatible chassis, such as the PXI-1000B, results in a PXI-8156B is functionally identical to the PXI-8155B, except it adds
fully PC-compatible computer in a compact, rugged package. GPIB, 10BaseT Ethernet, and an additional serial port. The GPIB
Because of its unique design, the PXI-8150B Series has onboard port uses the National Instruments TNT4882C ASIC for superior
high-performance PCI video, yet still connects to the
PCI bus without a PCI-to-PCI bridge. This architecture Characteristic PXI-8155B PXI-8156B
preserves the full 132 Mbytes/s PCI bandwidth for CPU 333 MHz AMD-K6-2 or 333 MHz AMD-K6-2 or
other PXI modules. 233 MHz Intel Pentium MMX 233 MHz Intel Pentium MMX
Peripherals 1 serial port 2 serial ports
Hardware 1 parallel port 1 parallel port
1 USB port 1 USB port
The PXI-8150B Series integrates many standard PC
PS/2 keyboard connector PS/2 keyboard connector
peripherals, saving the active slots in a PXI chassis for PS/2 mouse connector PS/2 mouse connector
instrument modules. We also designed the controller 6 GB hard drive, minimum 6 GB hard drive, minimum
for easy memory upgrades by making the two 3.5 in. 1.44 MB floppy drive 3.5 in. 1.44 MB floppy drive
SO-DIMM sockets user accessible. Because of its Super VGA with 2 MB DRAM Super VGA with 2 MB DRAM
10BaseT Ethernet
unique packaging, the PXI-8150B has a built-in floppy
GPIB (IEEE 488.2) interface
and hard drive. These devices are mounted directly to 256 MB maximum, with upgrades 256 MB maximum, with upgrades
DRAM
the PXI-8150B module, so you can remove the whole Operating system Choice of Windows Choice of Windows
unit intact. This design minimizes integration issues PXI-1020 and ✓ ✓
and eliminates complex cabling. The PXI-8150B plugs PXI-1025 ready

directly into the system controller slot of a Table 1. PXI-8150B Series Options

National Instruments 47
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 Embedded Controllers for
PXI and CompactPCI
PXI-8150B Series

performance and complete IEEE 488.2

MMX 512K L2 Cache/
Socket 7 CPU Tag RAM compatibility. Software written using the
NI-488.2 or NI-VISA software runs on the
PXI-8156B unmodified. Using the built-in
Chip Set PCI Bus
SO-DIMM
SDRAM Ultra DMA 33
PXI Connector Ethernet port, you can connect your PXI
IDE, USB
system to other computers and share
USB I resources on a LAN.
S TFT
Connector PCI Video w/
A LCD
2 MB SGRAM Interface
B
u
s
Standard I/O
All PXI-8150B Series controllers come with a
standard set of I/O functions for interfacing to
common peripheral devices. Direct
Ethernet Internal Floppy Watchdog Keyboard/Mouse BIOS/Real Time
GPIB PC Peripherals
10BaseT Timer Controller Clock connections to standard PC-compatible
RJ-45 GPIB LPT 1 COM 1 Keyboard/Mouse keyboards and pointing devices (mouse,
Connector Connector Connectors
COM 2
Internal 2.5 in. HD trackball, and so on) are supplied with PS/2
Daughtercard
connectors. A USB port is included for
connecting to devices such as next-
Figure 1. PXI-8150B Series Block Diagram generation keyboards, pointing devices, speakers, and printers. Up
to two RS-232 ports are available for connecting to serial devices.

you want to upgrade your memory, select one or two

Ordering Information
Step 1. Controller Model – select one of the following
configurations:
PXI-8156B/333 (333 MHz AMD-K6-2) with
Windows NT ...............................................777884-32
Windows 98................................................777884-31
Embedded and Remote Controllers
*
of the following memory options in any combination:
32 MB SDRAM .............................................777885-32
64 MB SDRAM .............................................777885-64
128 MB SDRAM.........................................777885-128
Step 4. Installed Application Software – select any

Other operating systems*............................777884-00
PXI-8156B/233 (233 MHz Pentium) with
Windows NT ...............................................777581-02
Windows 98................................................777581-01
Other operating systems*............................777581-00
PXI-8155B/333 (333 MHz AMD-K6-2) with
Windows NT ...............................................777883-32
Windows 98................................................777883-31
Other operating systems*............................777883-00
PXI-8155B/233 (233 MHz Pentium) with
Windows NT ...............................................777580-02
Windows 98................................................777580-01
Other operating systems*............................777580-00
Step 2. Installation Services – select Installation Services
(required for Step 4, see page 216).
Installation Services ......................................960596-01
Step 3. Memory Upgrades – all controllers have
32 MB of memory installed in one of the two available
memory sockets if no memory upgrades are chosen. If
application software you would like to have installed:
LabVIEW Full Development System
for Windows (English) ..............................776670-03
Measurement Studio Full Development System
for Windows ............................................778800-03
TestStand Full Development System
for Windows ............................................777777-03
Lookout Development/ Runtime
Server (50 I/O)..........................................777320-01
Step 5. Accessory Cable – select parallel port cable to
convert from Type C 36-position miniconnector to
DB-25 25-position standard connector (15.2 cm):
IEEE 1284 parallel port adapter cable ..........182873-06
*Contact National Instruments for the latest processors and operating
systems. LabVIEW is also available in German, French and Japanese.
Windows operating systems are available in German, French, Japanese,
and more. Contact National Instruments for more information.

48 National Instruments
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 Embedded Controllers for
PXI and CompactPCI

Parallel Port
The parallel port conforms to the IEEE 1284 standard and can
handle high-speed EPP and ECP modes. Using these parallel port
modes, you can connect to a wide variety of high-performance
external devices, including CD-ROM drives, tape backup units,
printers, and scanners. The parallel port uses the 36-position
IEEE 1284 Type C mini connector with clip latches. You can order
the type C-to-type A parallel port cable for backwards compatibility
with older parallel port devices that use a type A DB-25 connector.
Video
All PXI-8150B Series controllers come with a built-in SuperVGA
graphics controller that uses the high-speed PCI bus. The graphics
controller has 2 MB of video memory (SGRAM) for high-
performance graphics applications. This SuperVGA controller
works with monitors with resolutions from 640 by 480 to 1600 by
1200. The PXI-8150B controllers feature processors with
multimedia extensions (MMX) for improved graphics performance.
PXI-8150B Series
Memory
All PXI-8150B Series controllers come with 32 MB of memory.
You may order additional memory for your controller. We
recommend a minimum of 32 MB for Windows 98 and 64 MB
for Windows NT. With two 128 MB memory modules (SO-DIMM
modules), you can have a total of 256 MB of memory on
your controller.
Software
The PXI-8150B Series controllers come with your choice of
Windows operating system installed. NI-DAQ, NI-488.2, and
NI-VISA driver software are also installed.
Support for PXI-1020 and PXI-1025 Chassis
The PXI-8150B Series controllers provide an internal interface for
controlling the PXI-1020 and PXI-1025 chassis. These chassis have
integrated displays, pointing devices, and more. Use the
PXI-8150B Series for high-performance control of these integrated
measurement and automation platforms.

Specifications
Complies with PXI specification and CompactPCI, PICMG specification. Total power
Supports bus mastering in all PXI/CompactPCI slots. Typical ....................................................... 25 W
Supports all peripherals and user interfaces for PXI-1020 and PXI-1025. Maximum.................................................. 60 W
Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)

Embedded and Remote Controllers

Physical PXI-8155B...................................................... 120,000 hours
Number of slots required ............................... 1 system slot, 3 controller expansion slots PXI-8156B...................................................... 120,000 hours
(to the left of system slot) (Predictions performed in accordance with
Dimensions.................................................... 8.1 by 13 by 21.6 cm Belcore methods.)
(3.2 by 5.1 by 8.5 in.), 3U
Weight........................................................... 1.1 kg (2.4 lb.)
Operating Environment
Peripherals Ambient temperature range .......................... 0 to 50 °C (Meets IEC-60068-2-1 and
Ethernet......................................................... 10BaseT, RJ-45 connector (PXI-8156B only) IEC-60068-2-2.)
SuperVGA...................................................... 2 MB, SGRAM Relative humidity range ................................. 10 to 90%, noncondensing (Meets
Serial port ...................................................... RS-232 (2 ports on PXI-8156B) IEC-60068-2-56.)
Parallel port.................................................... IEEE 1284, Type C connector
GPIB port ....................................................... AT-GPIB/TNT, full-size GPIB connector Storage Environment
(PXI-8156B only) Ambient temperature range .......................... -20 to 70 °C (Meets IEC-60068-2-1 and
USB ............................................................. 1 USB controller IEC-60068-2-2.)
Keyboard ....................................................... PS/2 Relative humidity range ................................. 5 to 95%, noncondensing (Meets
Mouse ........................................................... PS/2 IEC-60068-2-56.)
DRAM ............................................................ 256 MB maximum, 10 ns SDRAM,
2 SO-DIMM sockets Shock and Vibration
Floppy drive................................................... Internal 3.5 in., 1.44 MB Functional Shock ........................................... 30 g peak, half-sine, 11 ms pulse (Meets
Hard drive...................................................... Internal 2.5 in., 6 GB minimum IEC-60068-2-27 Test profile developed in
accordance with MIL-T-28800E Class 3.)
Power Requirements Random Vibration
Operating ................................................. 5 to 500 Hz, 0.3 grms
VDC Typical ADC Maximum ADC Non-operating .......................................... 5 to 500 Hz, 2.4 grms
+3.3 4.5 10 (Meets IEC-60068-2-64. Non-operating test
+5 1.85 4.0 profile developed in accordance with
+12 0.05 0.5 MIL-T-28800E and MIL-STD-810E
Method 514.)
-12 0.01 0.1
Safety Compliance
EN 61010-1, IEC-61010-1

*Specifications subject to change without notice.

National Instruments 49
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